THE OUTSIDERS by S.E. Hinton adapted by Christopher Sergel
Directed by Kirk White
Audition Dates:
Wednesday May 16 & Thursday May 17, 2018 7-9:30 PM
Callbacks (if necessary) Saturday May 19 2:00 PM
Duncan Smith Theater 36 Crawfords Corner Rd, Holmdel, NJ 07733 (White Barn on the corner of Holmdel High School grounds)
Production Dates:
July 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, Aug 3, 4, 5
Cast members must keep rehearsal scheduling conflicts to a minimum.
Needed are a range of performers, both female and male, all ages and ethnicities welcome. No pre-registration is required. Monologues are welcome but not required. Audition sides from the script will be provided at auditions.
All Roles Are Open.
"The Outsiders," a play based on the classic novel by S.E. Hinton, adapted by Christoper Sergel. Seen through the eyes of Ponyboy, a Greaser on the wrong side of life who is caught up in territorial battles between the have-it-made rich kids, "The Socs," and his tough, underprivileged family and friends. As these young people try to find themselves and each other, the sadness of sophistication begins to reach them, and change them.
******
CHARACTER BREAKDOWNS
Ponyboy: Male, 14-18 Greaser. novel’s narrator and protagonist; the youngest of the Greasers; his literary interests and academic accomplishments set him apart from the rest of his gang; because his parents have died in a car accident, he lives with his brothers Darry and Sodapop; Darry repeatedly accuses him of lacking common sense, but Ponyboy is a reliable and observant narrator; he struggles with class division, violence, innocence, and familial love, but matures, eventually realizing the importance of strength in the face of class bias.
Johnny Cade: Male, 14-18 Greaser. physically small for his age; does not succeed in school, but approaches intellectual matters with steady concentration; child of alcoholic, abusive parents; nervous and sensitive; since his parents do not care for him, he sees the Greasers as his true family; in turn, the older boys, particularly Dally, are protective of him.
Dallas (Dally) Winston: Male, 16-18 Greaser. the toughest hood in Ponyboy’s group; a hardened teen who used to run with gangs in New York; unlike his friends, does not put grease in his hair; his violent tendencies make him more dangerous than the other Greasers, and he takes pride in his criminal record; feels protective of Johnny Cade.
Two-Bit: Male, 17-19 Greaser. joker of Ponyboy’s group; his real name is Keith, a wisecracker who regularly shoplifts; prizes his sleek black-handled switchblade; instigates the hostilities between the Socs and the Greasers by flirting with Marcia, the girlfriend of a Soc.
Darry: Male, 20-22 Greaser. Ponyboy’s oldest brother who is raising Ponyboy because their parents have died in a car crash; strong, athletic, and intelligent; has quit school; works two jobs to hold the family together; unofficial leader of the Greasers; becomes an authority figure for Ponyboy; makes good chocolate cake, which he and his brothers eat every day for breakfast; other Greasers call him “Superman.”
Sodapop: Male, 16-18 Greaser. Ponyboy’s brother; a high school dropout; works at the local gas station; "movie-star" handsome; Ponyboy envies Sodapop’s good looks and charm; plans to marry Sandy, a Greaser girl.
Sherry, “Cherry” Valance: Female 16-18 Soc. The one everyone is in love with. Cherry is sharp, tougher and more savvy than your average Soc but ultimately she’s looking for acceptance and love; same as everyone else. She befriends Ponyboy and Johnny and stands up to her Soc Boyfriend to protect them but when everything falls apart, her loyalties are truly tested. Ultimately she rejects the notions of the class system…although there are moments when this is tested.
Marcia: Female 16-18 Soc. Although she is generally a few steps behind her best friend, Cherry, Marcia is every bit as fierce. Her wit is lighting fast and acerbic. She’s tough and not afraid to go toe to toe with the Greasers. She flirts with and (maybe?) likes Two-Bit.
Sandy: Female, 15-18 Greaser. Sandy has an abusive homelife that has darkened her almost to the point of no return. She loves Soda-Pop and would like nothing more than to have a life with him, but her circumstances force her to make tough choices.
Bob Sheldon: Male, 18-20 Soc. Cherry’s boyfriend, presumably possessing many fine character attributes…unfortunately he’s a mean drunk and we don’t get to see many of those. Mr. Hyde more often than Dr. Jekyll, Bob is vicious and cruel to the Greaser, pursues them with relentless menace and pays the ultimate price for his abuse.
Randy: Male, 18-20 Soc. Bob’s friend and Marcia’s boyfriend. Randy goes along with Bob’s cruelty but his heart is not in it. He hates this class system and eventually sympathizes and agrees to help the greasers, but reminds Ponyboy that nothing will change.
Adult Male/Ensemble Leader: 35-60 Similar to the Stage Manager in Our Town, this actor will play multiple adult roles in the show as well as coordinate and lead the ensemble in creating the theatrical world of the play. He’s Ponyboy’s teacher, Mr. Syme and therefore a constant presence as the play is basically Pony’s paper to him. Should have a strong presence and be capable of multiple, believable characters at the drop of a hat. Improv, movement, musical, and ensemble theatre skills a plus (but not a pre-requisite)
Ensemble Males & Females 14-20 Think Zanni in classic Comedia del’arte. The ensemble will, under the direction of the Ensemble Leader, create and perform the world of the play. This includes, but is not limited to, playing supporting roles, being extras in multiple scenes, creating the various locations and ambiance theatrically, providing sound effects and music accompaniment to various scenes, fighting a huge street rumble and last but not least, convincingly portraying a raging FIRE! These are show-stealing, super fun and physically demanding roles and we cannot stress the physically demanding part as you will basically be in motion from the moment the audience starts to enter the house until the final bow. Dance, movement, improv and fight skills a plus (although not a pre-requisite). Please note any musical instruments (esp percussion) you play well.
JUNE READING
My Old Friend
A new play by Stephen Larsen
Monday, June 4, 2018 7PM
November 5, 1980. John Lennon, alone in his apartment at the Dakota in New York city, is at a crossroads. He has been having recurring dreams of death… ready to make big changes in his life… if he can summon up the courage. Just then, who should appear, unannounced at his door – having charmed his way past the Dakota's gatekeeper? Paul McCartney – whom he hasn’t seen for some four years. John is astounded – glad – and wary – about the sudden appearance of his old friend. Can they mend fences? Can they come together? Or are they forever doomed to be bound by the strands and complications of their shared history…
$5 Suggested Donation
